CHICAGO – Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly announced on Wednesday that he will run for Cook County Board president as a Democrat in 2026.

The alderman’s announcement sets up a potential matchup with longtime current County President Toni Preckwinkle in the Democratic primary.

What we know:

Reilly’s 42nd Ward includes parts of the city’s downtown area in the Loop, Gold Coast, New Eastside, Streeterville, and River North. He’s served on the City Council since 2007.

“I am running for County Board President because Cook County government is broken and is long overdue for change,” Reilly said in a statement. “I promise to fight every day for the people of Cook County and against anyone who disrespects them or threatens their livelihood, including the President of the United States.”

In his announcement, Reilly stressed “unsafe streets in far too many communities across the County” and rising property taxes that are squeezing homeowners. He pledged to end “wasteful insider deals that are rotting the county government from the inside.”

Specifically, Reilly pointed to the county government’s budget increasing from $3.6 billion to nearly $10 billion since Preckwinkle became president in 2010.

“People in every corner of Cook County want the same thing: safe neighborhoods, good schools and a fair chance to build a future,” Reilly said in a statement. “Instead, people are paying more and getting a lot less to show for it. I’m running to change that. I’ve spent my career fighting for the people against the insiders, crooks and shady deals that infect local government. Now I’m ready to lead Cook County with transparency and integrity and rein in runaway property taxes.”

Reilly previously worked as a staffer in multiple roles for the Illinois House of Representatives in Springfield from 1995 until 2001. He also served as AT&T’s Midwest vice president of public affairs. He was one of the youngest executives in the company’s history, according to his official biography.

The primary election in Illinois is slated for March 17, 2026.